Stepping onto the final stair—
Li Zhexian and his companions' vision suddenly opened wide.
Atop the mountain peak lay an orderly expanse of dragon-ridge–style architecture.
Each grand structure bore sweeping eaves roofed in dragon-scale glazed tiles.
From afar, the complex resembled a colossal dragon coiled upon the summit, poised to strike, exuding an oppressive majesty.
"Young Clan Leader!"
"Young Clan Leader!"
Along the path, the young disciples they passed—each dressed in blue combat garb, eyes sharp, aura restrained—bowed respectfully upon seeing Yu Tianheng.
As the most gifted of the younger generation within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, such honors were commonplace for him.
Yet—
What surprised Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the others was that…
The gazes of these clan disciples would, whether deliberately or not, brush across Li Zhexian.
"Uh…" Yu Feng leaned closer to Li Zhexian and whispered, "Idol, why's everyone in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan looking at you?"
Li Zhexian himself was confused.
Yu Tianheng sighed helplessly.
"The Blue Lightning Clan is rooted in Heaven Dou City—it is no hidden recluse sect like the Clear Sky Clan."
"With Sword Wine's name resounding through the imperial city, it's natural that the clan has heard of you."
As he spoke, his eyes swept over Yufeng, Oslo, and the Shi brothers, his lips quirking in a teasing smirk:
"Although our clansmen have never seen Sword Wine's true face, look at you guys, and then look at Zhexian..."
"Who do you think better matches the storytellers' image—'a white robe untouched by dust, a sword strike that leaves no trace'?"
Yu Feng and the others exchanged glances.
Even Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's eyes, without meaning to, all turned to Li Zhexian.
Li Zhexian chuckled. "Enough, stop teasing me."
"Tianheng, is that the main hall up ahead?"
As they spoke, the group had already entered the core grounds of the Blue Lightning Clan.
Before them stretched a vast plaza carved flat from the mountaintop.
Even before stepping onto it, they could see the paving stones engraved with profound lightning patterns.
At the plaza's far right corner, over a thousand youths in identical blue garb sat cross-legged, cultivating.
Arcs of lightning coiled faintly around them, weaving together into a low, resonant hum—the sight was striking.
Yu Tianheng stepped forward first, explaining:
"These are Thunder-Pattern Stone tiles."
"Step onto it, and a weak current seeps into the body."
"Unnoticed, it tempers bone and flesh—of immense benefit to lightning-attribute Spirit Masters."
Li Zhexian and the others followed onto the plaza.
Sure enough, a faint prickling tingle came from beneath their feet, leaving their whole bodies numb.
Yu Tianheng pointed toward the cultivators.
"These are all of our clan's disciples."
"Most are of branch families, however."
"Their Martial Souls are not the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, but other lightning-attribute Martial Souls."
Yu Feng clicked his tongue.
"I knew it!"
"If all thousand of them had the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, even the Spirit Hall would pale in comparison!"
Li Zhexian nodded in agreement. It was as Yu Feng said. But even so, the foundation displayed before them was already leagues beyond anything the Wind Sword Sect could compare to.
The prestige of the Upper Three Clans was no empty claim.
With that thought, his anticipation for Thunder Valley only grew stronger.
Everyone walked through the plaza. An elder with white hair and beard, dressed in a blue robe embroidered with three bold lightning patterns, greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome, young hero Sword Wine, and all members of the Emperor Team, to our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"I am Yu Jinghan, a humble elder of the clan."
Li Zhexian and the others quickly cupped their hands in return. "We greet Elder Yu Jinghan."
The elder stroked his beard with a smile, just about to speak—
When suddenly, a youth who looked a bit like Yu Tianheng but younger, with rebellious pride written in his brows, shouted at Li Zhexian:
"Sword Wine!"
"You dared humiliate my aunt Liu Erlong, and disgrace my uncle Yu Xiaogang—yet you still dare set foot in my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?!"
At these words—
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling both furrowed their brows.
Yufeng, Oslo, and the Shi brothers' expressions all shifted.
Yu Tianheng stepped forward, lightning sparking around him, and barked:
"Yu Tianxin! For other matters I may let you be—"
"But Sword Wine is my dearest friend. Show him respect!"
Elder Yu Jinghan cast a single glance at Yu Tianxin.
Clearly, his position in the clan was lofty.
That youth, who just moments ago curled his lip at Yu Tianheng in disdain, shrank at once under that gaze, falling silent with head lowered.
Yu Tianheng turned to Li Zhexian with an apologetic tone. "Zhexian, I'm sorry.
"This is my younger brother, Yu Tianxin—spoiled by our elders since childhood."
"As for Uncle Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong… they long ago severed ties with the clan. Between you and them, right and wrong will be judged by the world."
"Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly welcomes you."
Li Zhexian patted Yu Tianheng's shoulder, his gaze sweeping over Yu Tianxin, who was stealing a glance at him. He laughed. "I won't take it to heart, of course."
"This trip, I also mean to personally thank Senior Thunder Douluo."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng let out a breath of relief, smiling.
At the right moment, Elder Yu Jinghan said with a chuckle:
"The banquet still needs to be prepared. Young friend Sword Wine, the clan leader specifically instructed me to speak with you later. He is currently dealing with some urgent cultivation matters."
"In the meantime, allow this old man to guide you, to see a few of our clan's sights."
Li Zhexian and the others bowed again.
"Then we'll have to trouble you, Elder Yu Jinghan."
Over the next hour, Elder Yu Jinghan led Li Zhexian's group on a tour of the various places in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—
For example—
The Arena, the Martial Soul Awakening Hall, and specialized simulated training chambers.
Each place displayed the deep foundation of one of the Upper Three Clans.
"Our next destination," Elder Yu Jinghan said with a sweep of his sleeve, "may be called a wonder of heaven and earth."
Several objects, shaped like shoe covers and glowing faintly with isolating light, floated before Li Zhexian and the others.
"This place is filled with hidden dangers. Non-lightning attribute Spirit Masters need to wear this to isolate the power of the lightning."
Dugu Yan nudged Li Zhexian and Ye Lingling lightly, whispering:
"This place feels… pretty mysterious, huh."
Li Zhexian nodded. In his heart, he already had a guess.
Everyone put on the isolating shoe covers as instructed and followed Elder Yu Jinghan toward the back of the mountain
The deeper they went,
the stranger the scenery became.
Vegetation grew sparse, the ground darkened into a deep scorched black.
The air hung heavy with a faint burnt scent, and from cracks in stone or earth, tiny arcs of lightning slithered like snakes, snapping with sharp crackles.
"Beyond here lies the Thunder Valley."
Elder Yu Jinghan stroked his beard, his tone tinged with reverence for nature's wonder.
"This is a mystic place where lightning gathers. Thunder of ten thousand ages has accumulated here, birthing wondrous sights beyond words."
"The valley stretches nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine meters, with thunder growing stronger step by step, divided into three realms."
"The first six thousand six hundred and sixty-six meters—named 'Azure Sky Lightning.'"
"The middle two thousand two hundred and twenty-two meters—named 'Purple Evil Lightning.'"
"The final one thousand one hundred and eleven meters—named 'Golden Lightning.'"